Explanation of Names
CERATOPOGONIDAE: from the Greek "keratos" (a horn) + "pogon" (a beard); can someone suggest how horns and beards are related to biting midges?
Numbers
676 species in 39 genera in North America listed at
nearctica.com
Culicoides (146 species) is the most speciose genus
Size
Minute; body length generally less than 3 mm.
Identification
Ocelli absent. Radial branches prominent. Similar to midges (Chironomidae) but stouter, with broader wings and well-developed proboscis.
Range
northern and eastern United States plus most of Canada
Habitat
salt and freshwater marshes, forests, edges of ponds and streams
Season
adults most prevalent in June and July
Food
Adult females suck blood from other insects, reptiles, and mammals (including humans), but also feed on flower nectar or other sugar source; females of some species have atrophied mouthparts, and probably don't suck blood; all males feed only on sugars
Life Cycle
larvae develop in moist or wet sand, mud, and decaying vegetation of salt and freshwater marshes, ponds and streams; a few occur under bark of rotting trees (from Roger Bland; How to Know the Insects)
Remarks
Many species bite humans and can be very annoying. A few are ectoparasites of other insects. Some species transmit diseases.
Internet References
illustrations and live adult images (various artists/photographers, Belmont U., Tennessee)
adult images plus species list, references, and other info (Saskatchewan Ceratopogonidae, U. of Saskatchewan)
overview of biology plus diversity and profiles of selected species (Ceratopogonidae of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
